Impact of the media - opinion polls

Media
1. Broadcast media
  1. TV
  2. Radio
2. Press
  1. Newspapers
  2. Magazines
  3. Journals
3. New media
  1. Internet
BBC and ITV required to remain politically imppartial
The Sun changes who it supports
2010 General Election
1. Mirror and Sunday Mirror favoured Labour
2. The Times, Daily Telegraph, Sun and Financial Times favoured Conservatives
3. The Guardian and Observer favoured Lib Dem victory
Opinion polls - question the voting intention of sample groups, selected with the aim of recreating the possible outcome
1. Group of about 1,000 people
2. Exit polls tend to be more accurate as they have a larger sample of people and ask who people voted, not who they intent to vote for
Opinion polls
1. Banned in France near election
  1. Fear they may influence voting behaviour
2. Some people discouraged from voting if they believe their party is ahead
3. Some people discouraged from voting if they see their party is behind
4. Can result in an increase in tactical voting
Poll accuracy
1. Allow margin of error of +/- 3%
2. 1992 - poll error was 8.9%
3. What factors can lead to polling error?
  1. Respondents were not registered to vote
  2. Respondents were lying
  3. Respondents were unrepresentative of the broader electorate
  4. Many respondents were 'floating voters'

Resource summary

	Created by dottydiva96 almost 11 years ago